The sequence was all too familiar. Julius Peppers bursting past a helpless offensive tackle, turning the corner with eye-catching athleticism and barreling down on a quarterback who didn't see him coming. When the hit came, the ball popped free.

Strip-sack. Turnover.

Same old, same old.

This was just last week, during Peppers' most recent game against the Eagles. Halapoulivaati Vaitai was the vulnerable offensive tackle. Carson Wentz was the quarterback. But change the jersey numbers, the teams, the year and you'll find plenty of similar highlights. From the time Peppers recorded his first sack in 2002 — sorry, Mike McMahon — until last week's mauling of Wentz.

In fact Peppers' most recent sack, bringing his season total to 61/2, was the 150th of his career, making him just the fifth player in NFL history to reach that milestone. The other four — Bruce Smith (200), Reggie White (198), Kevin Greene (160) and Chris Doleman (1501/2) — already have busts in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. So if the sculptors in Canton, Ohio, want to get ahead, they'd be safe starting to chisel out a likeness of Peppers.

At his current pace, the veteran defensive end is on track for 17 sacks this year, which would top his previous career high of 141/2, set nine seasons and three teams ago during his first stint in Carolina. So, yes, Peppers still has it, still humming a full three and a half years after his tank appeared low and he was cut by the Bears.

"I think he still looks like the Pep of old, man, with the way he goes out and has the ability to dominate football games," Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis said.

This is Peppers in his 16th season. At age 37.

"He looks like 25-year-old Pep," Bears right guard Kyle Long said. "That's just the way he is. He's a freak show."

It would lead some to believe that maybe, just maybe, the Panthers have the fountain of youth somewhere near their Charlotte, N.C., headquarters. "Oh, yeah," Panthers coach Ron Rivera quipped. "And we ain't telling anybody where it is."

In truth, the reasons for Peppers' continued production go deeper. For starters, it's worth noting that Rivera and the Panthers have found an ideal role for their pass-rushing graybeard. Through six weeks, Peppers has averaged only 30 snaps per game, on the field for 49 percent of the Panthers defense's work. Rivera has also taken measures to tailor Peppers' practice load, minimizing the wear and tear on his body.

"It's a good situation," Peppers told reporters in Charlotte this week. "I'm able to rest up and get healthy during the week. And then they're finding those situations in the game for me to come in. Right now it's working."

And a fresh Peppers, it seems, still packs a punch.

John Fox was in his first year as Panthers coach when Peppers broke into the league in 2002. Fox was always mesmerized by Peppers' rare physical gifts and admiring of his work ethic. Fifteen years later, Fox sees a player whose talent and feel for the game are still making him an every-week difference-maker. Fox also appreciates from afar how the Panthers have carved out an ideal niche for Peppers.

"With all veteran players how you use them is critical," Fox said. "They're not playing him on the real face-knocking downs. He's a pass rush specialist (mainly) and he's very good at it."

Peppers' versatility is also worth highlighting with the Panthers using him most often at defensive end but comfortable bumping him inside on occasion. Which means that Long, as well as right tackle Bobby Massie, will have to be on his toes this weekend accounting for Peppers' well-rounded skill set.

"He can move laterally," Long said. "But he's still Julius Peppers and he can run you over."

Countless NFL quarterbacks can attest, including the five Peppers has sacked this season: Wentz, Matthew Stafford, Tom Brady, Tyrod Taylor and Brian Hoyer. Those are skins on the wall, as Fox would say. It's a cluttered wall for Peppers, who will be come after Bears rookie Mitch Trubisky on Sunday.

"He still looks like he's in his prime," said the Bears quarterback, who was just 7when Peppers was drafted No. 2 by the Panthers in 2002. "Definitely a guy you've got to account for."